Tendon and spring for toy actuation

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a mechanism for animating toy figures, including stuffed animals and dolls. The actuating mechanism includes at least two resiliently deflectable elements that are connected at respective first and second ends so that by urging the first ends toward the second ends the deflectable elements deflect and the middle portion of each element moves away from the middle portion of the other element. The first end of one of at least two tendons is attached to the middle portion of a deflectable element and the first end of the other tendon is attached to the middle portion of the other deflectable element so that a portion of each tendon including the second end extends beyond the opposing deflectable element and when the elements are deflected they pull the first and second tendons past one another and urge the second ends of the tendons toward the deflectable elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mechanism for animating toy figures,including large stuffed animals and dolls. The mechanism is capable ofvarious simultaneous movements of a plurality of appendages.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Toys that have moving parts are well known in the art. Particularly,dolls that have moveable arms and legs. The mechanisms used to animatethe dolls vary from elastic cords to springs and levers. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,125 issued to Goldfarb et al., uses cords attachedto one end of each limb to provide a wiggling movement of the limbs whena button is pushed. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,671, issued to DeMars, andU.S. Pat. No. 3,053,008, issued to Pelunis, use levers to provide ahugging motion when a central mechanism is squeezed. U.S. Pat. No.1,063,403, issued to Whitehouse, discloses a spring and lever mechanismto move the eyes of a doll.

In the prior art the movements of the parts of the dolls are relativelylimited, being restricted to relatively simple movements. It is clearthat there remains a need for a mechanism that will provide varioustypes of activity through a relatively wide range of movement to providetoys that are interactive and provide a wide range of action to gain andmaintain the interest of children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is a simple mechanism that creates movement withinthe various parts of toys or dolls to create such activities as hugging,clapping, waving and so forth. Most simply stated, the actuatingmechanism of the invention is comprised of at least two resilientlydeflectable elements, a first element and a second element, each ofwhich have a first end and a second end. The first ends of each elementare connected to one another and the second ends are also connected toone another. When a force is applied proximal to the first ends and asecond opposing force is applied proximal to the second ends, directedso that the first ends and second ends are urged toward one another, theforces will cause the deflectable elements to deflect. The deflectableelements are oriented in relation to one another so that theirdeflection will cause portions of each of the elements that areintermediate the first and second ends to be deflected away from oneanother. The mechanism further comprises at least two tendons, a firstand a second tendon, each tendon having a first end and a second end.The first end of the first tendon is connected to the first deflectableelement so that a portion of the first tendon including the second end,extends past the deflectable element. The first end of the second tendonis then connected to the second deflectable element in similar fashion.It is attached intermediate the first end and the second end of thesecond deflectable element so that a portion of the second tendon,including the second end, extends past the first deflectable element.Therefore, when the deflectable elements are deflected, each deflectableelement will pull the attached tendon so that the tendons are moved pastone another in generally opposite directions pulling the seconds ends ofeach of the tendons toward the deflectable elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention will bedisclosed in detail in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the actuating mechanism insertedwithin a toy, a portion of the mechanism and toy being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 taken alongline 2--2;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 taken alongline 3--3;

FIG. 4 is the cross sectional view of the invention of FIG. 3,illustrating the deflection of the deflectable elements of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a partial left side elevational view of a second embodiment ofthe mechanism; and

FIG. 6 is a partial left side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.5 illustrating the deflection of the deflectable elements.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The actuating mechanism of this invention may be included in manydifferent types of toys or devices with the deflectable elements andtendons operatively connected to various operating parts of the toys.The mechanism itself, generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1-4, iscomprised of at least two resiliently deflectable elements, a firstelement 12 and a second element 14, and at least two tendons, a firsttendon 16 and a second tendon 18.

In one embodiment, as shown in drawing FIGS. 1-4, the actuatingmechanism comprises four resiliently deflectable elements, including thefirst deflectable element 12, the second deflectable element 14 and twoadditional deflectable elements defined as a third deflectable element20 and a fourth deflectable element 22. FIGS. 1-4 also illustrate inthis embodiment a total of seven tendons, including the first tendon 16and the second tendon 18. In addition to those tendons the embodimentincludes a third tendon 24, a fourth tendon 26, a fifth tendon 28, asixth tendon 30 and a seventh tendon 32. As shown in FIG. 1 themechanism 10 is attached to the body 34 of a toy, shown generally as 36,that has five appendages attached thereto. The five appendages comprisea first appendage 38 and a second appendage 40 that define opposingarms, a third appendage 42 and a fourth appendage 44 that define a pairof legs, and a fifth appendage 46, defining a tail. In otherembodiments, other appendages and other groupings of appendages andoperating elements may be used such as a pair of eyes, more than fourlegs, a nose, a mouth and so forth.

Referring first to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the mechanism comprises afront compression plate 48 having an inward side 50 and an outward side52 and a back compression plate 54 that has an inward side 56 and anoutward side 58. As best seen in FIG. 3, the first deflectable element12 has a first end 60 and a second end 62. The second deflectableelement 14 has a first end 64 and a second end 66. The first end 60 ofthe first deflectable element 12 is connected to the first end 64 of thesecond deflectable element 14, as both first ends 60 and 64 are hingedlyattached to the inward side 50 of the front compression plate 48. In thesame fashion, the second end 62 of the first element 12 is connected tothe second end 66 of the second deflectable element 14, as both secondsends 62 and 66 are hingedly attached to the inward side 56 of the backcompression plate 54. The hinge means 68 for attaching the ends of eachdeflectable element to a respective compression plate may be anystandard hinge device allowing free movement of the deflectable elementsin relation to the compression plates. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, hinge means 68a comprises a connector 67a that is attached tothe inward side 50 of compression plate 48 and a rectangular loop 69a.Connector 67a comprises four connector hooks 71a spaced about the foursides of the rectangular loop 69a so that they extend away from theinward side 50 of compression plate 48. Each of the ends of thedeflectable elements 12 and 14 have a pair of element hooks 73 formedthereon for attachment to the rectangular loop 69a. The hinge means 68apermits the ends 60 and 64 of the deflectable elements to be attached tocompression plate 48 and yet freely pivot in relation to compressionplate 48. In similar fashion, a hinge means 68b is attached to theinward side 56 of the rear compression plate 54 for attachment of theelement hooks 73 on each of the second ends 62 and 66 of the respectivedeflectable elements 12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 1, first deflectableelement 12 and the second deflectable element 14 are oriented generallyparallel with an axis A extending from the first appendage 38 throughthe body 34 and through the second appendage 40.

In FIG. 1 it can be seen that the third deflectable element 20 and thefourth deflectable element 22 are longitudinally aligned generallyparallel with the longitudinal axis B of the toy 36, the axis extendingthrough the center of the head 78, which is shown in phantom, and thecenter of the body 36. As best seen in FIG. 2, the third deflectableelement 20 has a first end 70 and a second end 72 and the fourthdeflectable element 22 has a first end 74 and a second end 76. The firstends 70 and 74 of the respective elements 20 and 22 are hingedlyattached to hinge means 68a and the second ends 72 and 76 are hingedlyattached to hinge means 68b in the same fashion as the first deflectableelement 12 and the second deflectable element 14.

In a preferred embodiment, the resilient deflectable element 14, as seenin FIG. 3, is comprised of a first part 80 that includes the first end64 of deflectable element 14 and a second part 82 that includes thesecond end 66 of the deflectable element 14. Therefore, part 80 of thedeflectable element 14 has a first end 64 and a second end 81, and part82 of the deflectable element 14, has a first end 83 and a second end66. Second end 81 of part 80 and first end 83 of part 82 are attached toopposing sides of joint means 84b. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the jointmeans 84b comprises a rectangular ring 86b and ends 81 and 83 havecurved portions 87 thereon that are pivotally attached to the ring 86b.In other embodiments, the joint means 84b may comprise a pin hinge or aweakened portion in a continuous element. In still other embodiments,the deflectable elements may be continuous and flexible without a hingejoint. Deflectable elements 12, 20 and 22 are similarly divided into twoparts that are attached to one another by a similar joint means 84a, 84cand 84d, respectively.

As seen in FIG. 3, the first end 88 of the first tendon 16 is attachedto the joint means 84b. The second end 90 of the tendon 16 extendsthrough the joint means 84a of the first deflectable element 12 so thata portion of the tendon extends past the deflectable element 12 and isconnected to the end 92 of the first appendage 38. Similarly, the firstend 94 of the second tendon 18 is connected to the joint means 84a ofthe first deflectable element 12 so that the second and 96 extendsthrough the joint means 84b of the second element 14 so that a portionof the second tendon 18 extends past the second deflectable element 14and connects with the end 98 of the second appendage 40.

The third tendon 24, as seen in FIG. 1, has a first end 100 and a secondend 102. The first end 100 is attached to the joint means 84c of thethird deflectable element 20 and the second end extends past the fourthdeflectable element 22 so that the second end 102 is attached to thefirst end 104 of the third appendage 42. The fourth tendon 26 issimilarly attached to the third deflectable element 20 and to the firstend 105 of the fourth appendage 44. The fifth tendon 28 is alsosimilarly attached to the third deflectable element 20 and to the firstend 106 of the fifth appendage 46.

The first end 108 of the sixth tendon 30 is attached to the joint means84c of the third element 20 so that the second end 110 of the sixthtendon 30 extends away from the third deflectable element 20 and thefourth deflectable element 22. The head area 78 of the body 34 of thetoy 36 comprises a pair of curved openings 112 and 114. The second end110 of the sixth tendon 30 extends through the opening 112 so that itmay be attached to the flexible exterior surface (not shown) of the toy36. In this case, it is attached to one corner of a mouth 115 shown inphantom that is in the exterior surface (not shown). The seventh tendon32 is similarly attached to the third deflectable element 20 and to theother opening 114 so that it may be attached to the opposing corner ofthe mouth 115.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of stabilizers 116, in thisembodiment four, are provided to resiliently stabilize the frontcompression plate 48 and the back compression plate 54 in relation tothe body 34. Each stabilizer 116 comprises a post 117 that is attachedto the adjacent compression plate 48 or 54 and a tube 118 that isattached to the body 34. Each tube 118 has a first open end 120 that isattached to the body 34 of the doll 36. As seen in FIG. 1, thestabilizers are spaced evenly to maintain proper alignment between thecompression plates 48 and 54 and the body 34 of the toy 36. As seen inFIG. 3 a stabilizer, for example stabilizer 116a, comprises a post 117aand a tube 118a. The first end 119a of the tube 118a is open and isattached to the body 34 and the second end 120a is closed. In otherembodiments the tube 118a may be formed integrally with the body 34. Thepost 117a has a first end 121a which is attached to the frontcompression plate 48 and a second end 122a that is received within theopen end 119a of the tube 118a. Stabilizers 116a and 116c are attachedto the front compression plate 48 and the body 34 of the doll 36 andstabilizers 116b and 116d are attached to the rear compression plate 54and the body 34 of the doll 36.

By applying a force to the outward side 52 of compression plate 48 andto the outward side 58 of compression plate 54 the compression platesmay be moved toward one another forcing the posts 117 of each stabilizer116 to slide into the respective tube 118. A biasing means, convenientlycompression spring 124, is inserted within at least one of the tubes 118between the second end 122 of the posts 117 and the second end 120 ofthe tube 118 of the stabilizers 116 so that the back compression plate54 and the front compression plate 48 are urged away from one another.In this embodiment a spring 124 is inserted in each stabilizer 116. Inother embodiments the biasing means may comprise a tension springextending between the first deflectable element 12 and the seconddeflectable element 14 and/or between the third and fourth deflectableelements 20 and 22.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the arms,first appendage 38 and second appendage 40, comprises a plurality ofsegments 126 that are separated by a plurality of v-shaped arm apertures128. In this embodiment, the portion of the appendage opposite thev-shaped arm aperture 128 is weakened to form a segment hinge 129. Inother embodiments a standard leaf hinge or other well-known hingessuitable for the purpose may be used. The arms 38 and 40 arecontiguously attached to the body 34 of the toy 36.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second end 130 of the third appendage 42 has aball 132 formed thereon that is insertable in a hole 134 through thebody 34 permitting the leg 42 to rotate about its second end 130 a wellknown ball and socket joint. The fourth appendage 44 and the fifthappendage 46 are similarly attached to the body 34. Leg 42 and leg 44each comprise three sections 136, as best seen in FIG. 2, to permit thelegs 42 and 44 to bend. The sections 136 are separated from one anotherby v-shaped leg apertures 135 similar to the arm apertures 128. Theportion of the wall opposing each of the leg apertures 135 is weakenedto form a leg hinge 137 permitting the legs 42 and 44 to bend. The tail46 is subdivided into parts 138 that are separated from one another byv-shaped tail apertures 139 and opposing weakened wall portions formingtail hinges 140, similar to the arms 38 and 40 and the legs 42 and 44.

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose a second embodiment of the invention in which themechanism 210 and the body 234 of the toy are formed as previouslydescribed with the exception of the attachment of the tendons for theoperation of the legs and tail. The second embodiment utilizes referencenumbers that have been increased by an increment of 200 for thestructure that is the same as the first embodiment. In the secondembodiment, the tendons operating the third appendage (not shown) andthe fourth appendage 224 may be defined as a third tendon (not shown)and a fourth tendon 226. Tendon 226 has a first end 346 that is attachedto the fourth deflectable element 222. The second end 348 of the fourthtendon 226 extends away from the fourth deflectable element 222 and awayfrom the third deflectable element 220 so that the tendon 226 may beattached to the first end 305 of the appendage 244. In the same fashion,the fifth tendon 228 may be attached to the fourth deflectable element222 and the first end 306 of the fifth appendage 246. In thisembodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the compression plates are notcompressed the tendons of the legs are under tension holding the legs ina sitting position and the tail in a curled position. As shown in FIG.6, when the compression plates 248 and 254 are moved toward one anotherthe tendons 226 and 228 relax so that the appendages hang loosely.

In a preferred embodiment most of the parts of the apparatus are moldedfrom well known synthetic resins suitable for the purpose. The springsmay be constructed of spring steel for durability. The tendons may bebraided nylon or stiff synthetic resin depending on whether the tendonsare pulling or pushing.

With the preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention havingbeen described in detail above, the operation may now be described. Asbest seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when pressure is applied to the outward side52 of compression plate 48 and an opposing force is applied to theoutward side 58 of the back compression plate 54, the post 117 of eachstabilizer 116 is moved inwardly into its respective tube 118compressing the spring 124 therein and each deflectable element 12, 14,20 and 22 are deflected so that the joint means 84 that is intermediatethe first and second ends of each deflectable element, 12, 14, 20 and 22are deflected away from one another. As the deflectable element 14 isdeflected the second end 90 of tendon 16 is pulled inwardly toward thefirst deflectable element 12 causing the second end 92 of the firstappendage arm 38 to also move inwardly so that the arm 38 bends at thev-shaped arm apertures 128 and the first appendage 38 becomes curved asshown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the second end 96 of tendon 18 is pulledinwardly causing the second end 98 of the second appendage, arm 40 toform a curve as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, as a child hugs the toy 36the opposing compression plates 48 and 54 are moved toward one anothercausing the arms 38 and 40 to curl about the child's body giving thechild a hug. In the same fashion, the ends 104 and 105 of the third andfourth appendages, legs 42 and 44, are moved inwardly toward the body 34of the toy 36 causing the legs 42 and 44 to bend and pull upward towardthe body. Also, tendon 28 is pulled causing the fifth appendage 46 ortail to curl.

As the joint means 84 of the third deflectable element 20 is deflectedand moves away from the other deflectable elements 12, 14 and 22, thesecond end 110 of tendon 30 is pushed outwardly so that it moves alongthe opening 112. As the seventh tendon 32 moves similarly to the sixthtendon 30, both sides of the mouth 115 of the toy 36 are moved away fromaxis B creating a smile while the toy is being hugged. When the childstops hugging the toy 36 the springs 124 move the opposing frontcompression plate 48 and back compression plate 54 away from one anotherso that each of the appendages returns to the original or relaxedposition.

In the second embodiment the left leg 244 and the right leg (not shown)of the doll are under tension and are held in a sitting position and thetail 246 in a curled position. As the doll is hugged the tail and legsrelax hanging down loosely.

While the foregoing description is directed to particularly preferredembodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that theseembodiments are representative only of the principle of the inventionand are not to be considered limitative thereof. Because numerousvariations and modifications of both the apparatus and the method, allwithin the scope of the present invention, will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the scope of the invention is to be limited solelyby the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An actuating mechanism for a toy comprising:at least a first and a second resiliently deflectable element, each said element having a first end and a second end, with both said first ends being connected together and both said second ends being connected together, such that opposing forces, one applied proximal said first ends and another applied proximal said second ends, urge said first ends toward said second ends serving to deflect said first and second deflectable elements such that the portions of said first and second deflectable elements intermediate said first ends and said second ends are deflected away from one another; and at least a first and a second tendon, each having a first end and a second end with said first end of said second tendon being connected to said first deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end of said first deflectable element with a portion of said second tendon including said second tendon second end, extending past said second deflectable element, and the first end of said first tendon being connected to said second deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end of said second deflectable element with a portion of said first tendon, including said first tendon second end, extending past said first deflectable element, whereby such deflection of the deflectable elements will serve to pull first and second tendons past one another in generally opposite directions, urging the second ends of the first and second tendons toward the first and second deflectable elements.
 2. A mechanism as in claim 1 incorporated within a doll comprising at least two appendages connected to said mechanism, said second end of one said tendon being operatively connected to a first one of said appendages and said second end of said other tendon being operatively connected to a second one of said appendages such that as said deflectable elements are deflected, each said tendon pulls a portion of a corresponding one of said first and second appendages generally toward said mechanism.
 3. A mechanism as in claim 2 wherein said two appendages comprise a pair of opposing arms, each arm comprising a plurality of arm segments each hingedly connected to at least one adjacent arm segment.
 4. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein said at least a first and a second resiliently deflectable element further comprises a third said resiliently deflectable element, and said at least two tendons comprise at least two additional said tendons, defining a third said tendon and a fourth said tendon, said third and fourth tendons each having a first end and a second end, with each said first end being connected to said third deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end thereof with a portion of each of said third and fourth tendons, including each said second end, extending past said first and second deflectable elements, whereby deflection of the deflectable elements will serve to pull the second ends of said third and fourth tendons toward the deflectable elements.
 5. A mechanism as in claim 4 incorporated within a doll having at least four appendages, including a third appendage and a fourth appendage, connected to said mechanism, said second end of said third tendon being operatively connected to said third appendage and said second end of said fourth tendon being operatively connected to said fourth appendage such that each said tendon pulls a portion of said appendage attached thereto generally toward said mechanism as said third deflectable element is deflected.
 6. A mechanism as in claim 5 wherein said third and fourth appendages comprise a pair of adjacent legs, each leg comprising a plurality of sections each hingedly connected to at least one adjacent section.
 7. A mechanism as in claim 5 wherein said doll further comprises at least one additional appendage of said at least four appendages defining a fifth appendage having a first end and a second end said first end being connected to said mechanism, and one additional said tendon defining a fifth tendon having a first end and a second end, said first end of said fifth tendon being connected to said third deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end thereof with a portion of said fifth tendon, including said second end, extending past said first and second deflectable elements, said second end of said fifth tendon being operatively connected to said second end of said fifth appendage.
 8. A mechanism as in claim 7 wherein said fifth appendage comprises a tail, said tail comprising a plurality of parts each hingedly connected to at least one adjacent part.
 9. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein said at least a first and a second resiliently deflectable element further comprise a third resiliently deflectable element, and said at least two tendons comprise two additional tendons, defining a sixth and a seventh tendon, said sixth and said seventh tendons each having a first end and a second end, with said first ends being connected to said third deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end of said third deflectable element with said second ends of said sixth and said seventh tendons extending away from said first and second deflectable elements, whereby deflection of said third deflectable element will serve to urge said second end of said sixth tendon and said second end of said seventh tendon away from said first and second deflectable elements.
 10. A mechanism as in claim 9 incorporated within a doll having a pair of openings therein, said second ends of said sixth tendon and said seventh tendon being operatively mounted within a respective said opening for movement within said opening as said third deflectable element is deflected.
 11. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein said at least a first and a second resiliently deflectable element further comprise a third and a fourth resiliently deflectable element, and said at least two tendons comprise at least two additional tendons, defining a third and a fourth tendon, said third and fourth tendons each having a first end and a second end, with said first ends being connected to said third deflectable element intermediate said first end and said second end of said third deflectable element said second ends of said third and said fourth tendons extend away from said third and fourth deflectable elements.
 12. A mechanism as in claim 11 incorporated within a doll comprising at least two appendages, defining a third appendage and a fourth appendage, connected to said mechanism, said second end of said third tendon being operatively connected to said third appendage and said second end of said fourth tendon being operatively connected to said fourth appendage such that each respective said tendon pulls a portion of a corresponding one of said third and fourth appendages generally toward said mechanism and said third and fourth tendons relax as said third and fourth deflectable elements are deflected causing a portion of a corresponding one of said third and fourth appendages to move away from said third and fourth deflectable elements.
 13. A mechanism as in claim 1 further comprising a front compression plate having an inward side and an outward side, said first ends of each deflectable element being hingedly attached to said inward side of said front compression plate, and a back compression plate having an inward side and an outward side, said second ends of each deflectable element being hingedly attached to said inward side of said back compression plate, whereby two opposing forces, one applied to said outward side of said front compression plate and one applied to said outward side of said back compression plate, deflect said deflectable elements.
 14. A mechanism as in claim 13 incorporated within a doll having a body, further comprising at least two stabilizing means each comprising a tube having a first open end and a second end, said tube being attached to said body of said doll such that said second end extends inwardly of said body of said doll and said open end faces outwardly of said body; and a post having a first end and a second end, said first end of said post being attached to one of said compression plates and said second end of said post being received by said second end of said tube, one said stabilizing means connecting said front compression plate with said body and the other said stabilizing means connecting said rear compression plate with said body.
 15. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein each said deflectable element comprises a first part including said first end thereof and a second part including said second end thereof and each said deflectable element further comprises hinge means inserted between and attached to said respective first parts and second parts.
 16. A mechanism as in claim 1 further comprising at least one biasing means connected to said deflectable elements such that each said intermediate portion of said deflectable elements are urged toward one another. 